Camera actuator with magnet holder having magnetic field

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lens carrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of light transiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assembly and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assembly generates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/460,035, filed Mar. 15, 2017, which claims benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/309,393, filed Mar. 16,2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to position control and morespecifically to position management with optical image stabilization inautofocus camera components camera components.

Description of the Related Art

The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones andtablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for high-resolution, smallform factor cameras for integration in the devices. Some small formfactor cameras may incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS)mechanisms that may sense and react to external excitation/disturbanceby adjusting location of the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in anattempt to compensate for unwanted motion of the lens. Some small formfactor cameras may incorporate an autofocus (AF) mechanism whereby theobject focal distance can be adjusted to focus an object plane in frontof the camera at an image plane to be captured by the image sensor. Insome such autofocus mechanisms, the optical lens is moved as a singlerigid body along the optical axis (referred to as the Z axis) of thecamera to refocus the camera.

In addition, high image quality is easier to achieve in small formfactor cameras if lens motion along the optical axis is accompanied byminimal parasitic motion in the other degrees of freedom, for example onthe X and Y axes orthogonal to the optical (Z) axis of the camera. Thus,some small form factor cameras that include autofocus mechanisms mayalso incorporate optical image stabilization (OIS) mechanisms that maysense and react to external excitation/disturbance by adjusting locationof the optical lens on the X and/or Y axis in an attempt to compensatefor unwanted motion of the lens.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lenscarrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of lighttransiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, thevoice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveablymounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanentmagnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assemblyand a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted tothe actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments,the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respectivepermanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assemblygenerates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction devicewith a camera in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a portable multifunction device having a camera inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a camera having an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide autofocusand optical image stabilization through use of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 4A depicts an example embodiment of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example embodiment of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts an example embodiment of a camera having an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide autofocusand optical image stabilization through use of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a camera having an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide autofocusand optical image stabilization through use of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a process for manufacturinga magnetized holder lens assembly, according to at least someembodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for camera control with magneticsensing for autofocus position detection, according to some embodiments.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction to Magnetic Sensing for AutofocusPosition Detection

Some embodiments include camera equipment outfitted with controls,magnets, and voice coil motors to improve the effectiveness of aminiature actuation mechanism for a compact camera module. Morespecifically, in some embodiments, compact camera modules includeactuators to deliver functions such as autofocus (AF) and optical imagestabilization (OIS). One approach to delivering a very compact actuatorfor OIS is to use a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) arrangement.

In some embodiments, a camera includes a lens assembly in a lenscarrier, an image sensor for capturing a digital representation of lighttransiting the lens, and a voice coil motor. In some embodiments, thevoice coil motor includes a spring suspension assembly for moveablymounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a plurality of permanentmagnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnet holder assemblyand a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrier and mounted tothe actuator base through the suspension assembly. In some embodiments,the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic field of a respectivepermanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder assemblygenerates a holder magnetic field of a holder magnetic field strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is generated by magneticmaterials embedded in a structural material of the holder assembly atrandom magnetic orientation and then oriented with an intended magneticfield orientation after embedding by exposure to an external magneticfield.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is generated by metallicmaterials embedded throughout a thermoplastic structural material of theholder assembly.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fieldstrengths is greater than the holder magnetic field strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is oriented orthogonal tofrom an optical axis of the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the camera further includes one or more opticalimage stabilization coils mounted to the actuator base, and the holdermagnetic field interacts with the one or more optical imagestabilization coils to move the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields isoriented in a direction different from a direction of orientation of theholder magnetic field.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields isoriented in a direction parallel to or antiparallel from a direction oforientation of a portion of the holder magnetic field.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field interacts with theautofocus coil to move the lens assembly.

Some embodiments of a camera actuator include a suspension assembly formoveably mounting a lens carrier to an actuator base, a holder assemblymounted to the actuator base, and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to thelens carrier and mounted to the actuator base through the suspensionassembly. In some embodiments, the holder assembly generates a holdermagnetic field of a magnetic field strength.

In some embodiments, no permanent magnets are included in the actuatorfor the purpose of moving the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is oriented in directionsdistinct from an optical axis of the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is oriented parallel orantiparallel to an optical axis of the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is generated by magneticmaterials embedded in a thermoplastic structural material of the holderassembly and then oriented with a magnetic field orientation afterembedding.

In some embodiments, a voice coil motor includes a suspension assemblyfor moveably mounting the lens carrier to an actuator base, a pluralityof permanent magnets mounted to the actuator base through a magnetholder assembly, and a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lens carrierand mounted to the actuator base through the suspension assembly. Insome embodiments, the permanent magnets each generate a magnetic fieldof a respective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holderassembly generates a magnetic field of a magnetic field strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is generated by magneticmaterials embedded in a thermoplastic structural material of the holderassembly and then oriented with a magnetic field orientation afterembedding.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is generated by magneticmaterials embedded throughout a thermoplastic structural material of theholder assembly.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fieldstrengths is greater than the holder magnetic field strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field is oriented radiallyoutward from an optical axis of the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the camera further includes one or more opticalimage stabilization coils mounted to the actuator base, and the holdermagnetic field interacts with the one or more optical imagestabilization coils to move the lens assembly.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field interacts with theautofocus coil to move the lens assembly.

Multifunction Device Examples

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, or tablet computers, mayalso be used. It should also be understood that, in some embodiments,the device is not a portable communications device, but is a desktopcomputer with a camera. In some embodiments, the device is a gamingcomputer with orientation sensors (e.g., orientation sensors in a gamingcontroller). In other embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a camera.

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withcameras. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunctiondevice 100 with camera 164 in accordance with some embodiments. Camera164 is sometimes called an “optical sensor” for convenience, and mayalso be known as or called an optical sensor system. Device 100 mayinclude memory 102 (which may include one or more computer readablestorage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units(CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audiocircuitry 110, speaker 111, touch-sensitive display system 112,microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or controldevices 116, and external port 124. Device 100 may include one or moreoptical sensors 164. These components may communicate over one or morecommunication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, a point ofcontact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a finger ofthe user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an example embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch screen 112 may have a video resolution in excess of 100 dpi. Insome embodiments, the touch screen has a video resolution ofapproximately 160 dpi. The user may make contact with touch screen 112using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, andso forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed to workprimarily with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be lessprecise than stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of afinger on the touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translatesthe rough finger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position orcommand for performing the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors or cameras 164.FIG. 1 shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 158in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupleddevice (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 28shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turnsoff and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 includes one or more orientation sensors 168. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 28 shows the one or more orientationsensors 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the oneor more orientation sensors 168 may be coupled to an input controller160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayedon the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view basedon an analysis of data received from the one or more orientationsensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, arbiter module 157 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 136. Furthermore, in some embodiments memory 102 storesdevice/global internal state 157, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 3.Device/global internal state 157 includes one or more of: activeapplication state, indicating which applications, if any, are currentlyactive; display state, indicating what applications, views or otherinformation occupy various regions of touch screen display 112; sensorstate, including information obtained from the device's various sensorsand input control devices 116; and location information concerning thedevice's location and/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, oran embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includes various softwarecomponents and/or drivers for controlling and managing general systemtasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which may be made up of a        video player    -   module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102 or memory 370), including: adding name(s) to the addressbook; deleting name(s) from the address book; associating telephonenumber(s), e-mail address(es), physical address(es) or other informationwith a name; associating an image with a name; categorizing and sortingnames; providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiateand/or facilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139,e-mail 140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a variety of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 1493, alarmclock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by the user(e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwiserearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data structuresnot described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen 112 in accordance with some embodiments. The touch screen maydisplay one or more graphics within user interface (UI) 200. In thisembodiment, as well as others described below, a user may select one ormore of the graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example,with one or more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or oneor more styluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure).

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

It should be noted that, although many of the examples herein are givenwith reference to optical sensor/camera 164 (on the front of a device),a rear-facing camera or optical sensor that is pointed opposite from thedisplay may be used instead of or in addition to an opticalsensor/camera 164 on the front of a device.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of an example embodiment of an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used with a magnetizedholder 3088, according to at least some embodiments. An actuator packageor assembly 3000 interacting with an image sensor 3050 is illustrated inFIG. 3 as one way to stabilize and increase control performance of anoptics assembly 3000 suspended on wires 3020 within an actuator package3000 as shown in FIG. 3. Details of example embodiments,implementations, and methods of operations of optical imagestabilization actuators and associated sensors such as the exampleactuator package 3000 shown in these FIGs are discussed below withrespect to FIGS. 3-7. In some embodiments, a magnetized holder 3088 isused without permanent magnets 3006, and holder 3088 provides a magneticfield sufficient to perform the optical image stabilization and positioncontrol functions.

In some embodiments, each position control magnet 3006 is poled so as togenerate a magnetic field, the useful component of which for theautofocus function is orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera/lens,and orthogonal to the plane of each magnet 3006 proximate to theautofocus coil 3003, and where the field for all four magnets 3006 areall either directed towards the autofocus coil 3003, or away from it, sothat the Lorentz forces from all four magnets 3003 act in the samedirection along the optical axis 3080.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an example embodiment of an actuator moduleor assembly 3000 that may, for example, be used in small form factorcameras, according to at least some embodiments, and in whichembodiments of magnetic sensing for autofocus position detection may beapplied. As shown in FIGS. 3, an actuator package 3000 may include abase assembly or substrate 3008, an optics assembly 3002, and a cover3012. Base assembly 3008 may include one or more of, but is not limitedto, a base 3008, supporting one or more position sensors (e.g., Hallsensors) 3010, and suspension wires 3020, which enable magnetic sensingfor autofocus position detection by detecting movements of positionsensor magnets 3018.

In at least some embodiments, there are four suspension wires 3020. Anoptics assembly 3002 may be suspended on the base assembly 3008 bysuspension of the upper springs 3030 of optics assembly 3000 on thesuspension wires 3020. Actuator module 3000 may include one or more of,but is not limited to, optics 3002, optics holder (autofocus coil) 3003,magnet(s) 3006, upper spring(s) 3030, and lower spring(s) 3032. Theupper and lower spring(s) may be collectively referred to herein asoptics springs. In optics assembly 3000, an optics component 3002 (e.g.,a lens or lens assembly) may be screwed, mounted or otherwise held in orby an optics holder (autofocus coil) 3003. In at least some embodiments,the optics 3002/optics holder (autofocus coil) 3003 assembly may besuspended from or attached to the position control magnets 3006 by upperspring(s) 3030, and lower spring(s) 3032, and the position controlmagnets 3006 may be rigidly mounted to base 3008. Note that upperspring(s) 3030 and lower spring(s) 3032 are flexible to allow the opticsassembly 3000 a range of motion along the Z (optical) axis for opticalfocusing, wires 3020 are flexible to allow a range of motion on the XYplane orthogonal to the optical axis for optical image stabilization.

Note that, in some embodiments, an optics assembly 3000 or an actuatormodule may not include position control magnets 3006, but may include ayoke or other structure 3006 that may be used to help support the opticsassembly on suspension wires 3020 via upper sprigs 3030. However in someembodiments, optics assembly 3000 may not include elements 3006. Ingeneral, other embodiments of an optics assembly 3000 may include feweror more components than the example optics assembly 3000 shown in FIG.3. Also note that, while embodiments show the optics assembly 3000suspended on wires 3020, other mechanisms may be used to suspend anoptics assembly 3000 in other embodiments.

The autofocus yoke (e.g., magnets or holder(s) 3006) acts as the supportchassis structure for the autofocus mechanism of actuator 3000. The lenscarrier (optics holder 3003) is suspended on the autofocus yoke by anupper autofocus (AF) spring 3030 and a lower optics spring 3032. In thisway when an electric current is applied to the autofocus coil, Lorentzforces are developed due to the presence of the four magnets, and aforce substantially parallel to the optical axis is generated to movethe lens carrier, and hence lens, along the optical axis, relative tothe support structure of the autofocus mechanism of the actuator, so asto focus the lens. In addition to suspending the lens carrier andsubstantially eliminating parasitic motions, the upper spring 3030 andlower spring 3032 also resist the Lorentz forces, and hence convert theforces to a displacement of the lens. This basic architecture shown inFIGS. 3-3 and is typical of some embodiments, in which optical imagestabilization function includes moving the entire autofocus mechanism ofthe actuator (supported by the autofocus yoke) in linear directionsorthogonal to the optical axis, in response to user handshake, asdetected by some means, such a two or three axis gyroscope, which sensesangular velocity. The handshake of interest is the changing angular tiltof the camera in ‘pitch and yaw directions’, which can be compensated bysaid linear movements of the lens relative to the image sensor.

At least some embodiments may achieve this two independentdegree-of-freedom motion by using two pairs of optical imagestabilization coils, each pair acting together to deliver controlledmotion in one linear axis orthogonal to the optical axis, and each pairdelivering controlled motion in a direction substantially orthogonal tothe other pair. In at least some embodiments, these optical imagestabilization coils may be fixed to the camera actuator supportstructure, and when current is appropriately applied, optical imagestabilization coils may generate Lorentz forces on the entire autofocusmechanism of the actuator, moving it as desired. The required magneticfields for the Lorentz forces are produced by the same four magnets thatenable to the Lorentz forces for the autofocus function. However, sincethe directions of motion of the optical image stabilization movementsare orthogonal to the autofocus movements, it is the fringing field ofthe four magnets that are employed, which have components of magneticfield in directions parallel to the optical axis.

Returning to FIG. 3, in at least some embodiments, the suspension of theautofocus mechanism on the actuator 3000 support structure may beachieved by the use of four corner wires 3020, for example wires with acircular cross-section. Each wire 3020 acts as a flexure beams capableof bending with relatively low stiffness, thus allowing motion in bothoptical image stabilization degrees-of-freedom. However, wire 3020 is insome embodiments relatively stiff in directions parallel to the opticalaxis, as this would require the wire to stretch or buckle, thussubstantially preventing parasitic motions in these directions. Inaddition, the presence of four such wires, appropriately separatedallows them to be stiff in the parasitic tilt directions of pitch andyaw, thus substantially preventing relative dynamic tilt between thelens and image sensor. This may be seen by appreciating that each wire3020 is stiff in directions that require it to change in length, andhence the fixed points at the ends of each wire (eight points in total)will substantially form the vertices of a parallelepiped for alloperational positions of the optical image stabilization mechanism.

In addition to the position sensor magnets 3018 an actuator module 3000as described herein may include one or more position sensor magnets 3018and one or more position control magnets 3006. In some embodiments, apackage of processors and memory 3090 or other computer-readable mediummay, in some embodiments, be included in actuator module 3000. In someembodiments, a package of processors and memory 3090 or othercomputer-readable medium as described herein may alternatively, in someembodiments, be omitted from actuator module 3000 and housed elsewherein a device in which actuator package 3000 is installed.

FIG. 4A depicts an example embodiment of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments. A holder 3088 with aradial magnetic field 4014 is shown.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example embodiment of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments. A holder 3088 with anegative-z magnetic field 4012 is shown.

FIG. 5 depicts an example embodiment of a camera having an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide autofocusand optical image stabilization through use of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, acamera 5000 includes a lens assembly 5002 in a lens carrier 5006, animage sensor (not shown) for capturing a digital representation of lighttransiting the lens of lens assembly 5002, and a voice coil motor. Insome embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspensionassembly 5008 for moveably mounting the lens carrier 5006 to an actuatorbase 5022, a plurality of permanent magnets 5010 mounted to the actuatorbase 5022 through a magnet holder assembly 5004 and a focusing coil 5012fixedly mounted to the lens carrier 5006 and mounted to the actuatorbase 5022 through the suspension assembly 5008. In some embodiments, thepermanent magnets 5010 each generate a magnetic field 5014 of arespective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder 5004assembly generates a holder magnetic field 5016 of a holder magneticfield strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 5016 is generated bymagnetic materials embedded in a structural material of the holderassembly 5004 at random magnetic orientation and then oriented with anintended magnetic field orientation after embedding by exposure to anexternal magnetic field.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 5016 is generated bymetallic materials embedded throughout a thermoplastic structuralmaterial of the holder assembly 5004.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic field5014 strengths is greater than the holder magnetic field 5016 strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 5016 is orientedorthogonal to from an optical axis of the lens assembly 5002.

In some embodiments, the camera further includes one or more opticalimage stabilization coils 5020 mounted to the actuator base 5022, andthe holder magnetic field 5016 interacts with the one or more opticalimage stabilization coils 5020 to move the lens assembly 5002.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields5014 is oriented in a direction different from a direction oforientation of the holder magnetic 5016 field.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields5014 is oriented in a direction parallel to or antiparallel from adirection of orientation of a portion of the holder magnetic field 5016.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 5016 interacts with theautofocus coil 5012 to move the lens assembly 5002.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a camera having an actuatormodule or assembly that may, for example, be used to provide autofocusand optical image stabilization through use of a magnetized holder lensassembly, according to at least some embodiments. In some embodiments, acamera 6000 includes a lens assembly 6002 in a lens carrier 6006, animage sensor (not shown) for capturing a digital representation of lighttransiting the lens of lens assembly 6002, and a voice coil motor. Insome embodiments, the voice coil motor includes a spring suspensionassembly 6008 for moveably mounting the lens carrier 6006 to an actuatorbase 6022, a plurality of permanent magnets 6010 mounted to the actuatorbase 6022 through a magnet holder assembly 6004 and a focusing coil 6012fixedly mounted to the lens carrier 6006 and mounted to the actuatorbase 6022 through the suspension assembly 6008. In some embodiments, thepermanent magnets 6010 each generate a magnetic field 6014 of arespective permanent magnet field strength, and the magnet holder 6004assembly generates a holder magnetic field 6016 of a holder magneticfield strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 6016 is generated bymagnetic materials embedded in a structural material of the holderassembly 6004 at random magnetic orientation and then oriented with anintended magnetic field orientation after embedding by exposure to anexternal magnetic field.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 6016 is generated bymetallic materials embedded throughout a thermoplastic structuralmaterial of the holder assembly 6004.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic field6014 strengths is greater than the holder magnetic field 6016 strength.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 6016 is orientedorthogonal to from an optical axis of the lens assembly 6002.

In some embodiments, the camera further includes one or more opticalimage stabilization coils 6020 mounted to the actuator base 6022, andthe holder magnetic field 6016 interacts with the one or more opticalimage stabilization coils 6020 to move the lens assembly 6002.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields6014 is oriented in a direction different from a direction oforientation of the holder magnetic 6016 field.

In some embodiments, each of the respective permanent magnetic fields6014 is oriented in a direction parallel to or antiparallel from adirection of orientation of a portion of the holder magnetic field 6016.

In some embodiments, the holder magnetic field 6016 interacts with theautofocus coil 6012 to move the lens assembly 6002.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a process for manufacturinga magnetized holder lens assembly, according to at least someembodiments. Magnetic bodies are infused into a structural material(block 720). The structural material is shaped into a holder (block730). The holder is exposed to a permanent magnetic field to orientfields of the magnetic bodies (block 740).

Example Computer System

FIG. 8 illustrates an example computer system 800 that may be configuredto execute any or all of the embodiments described above. In differentembodiments, computer system 800 may be any of various types of devices,including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktopcomputer, laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, pad, or netbook computer,mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, networkcomputer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a consumer device,video game console, handheld video game device, application server,storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheraldevice such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type ofcomputing or electronic device.

Various embodiments of a camera motion control system as describedherein, including embodiments of magnetic position sensing, as describedherein may be executed in one or more computer systems 800, which mayinteract with various other devices. Note that any component, action, orfunctionality described above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 may beimplemented on one or more computers configured as computer system 800of FIG. 8, according to various embodiments. In the illustratedembodiment, computer system 800 includes one or more processors 88coupled to a system memory 820 via an input/output (I/O) interface 830.Computer system 800 further includes a network interface 840 coupled toI/O interface 830, and one or more input/output devices 850, such ascursor control device 860, keyboard 870, and display(s) 880. In somecases, it is contemplated that embodiments may be implemented using asingle instance of computer system 800, while in other embodimentsmultiple such systems, or multiple nodes making up computer system 800,may be configured to host different portions or instances ofembodiments. For example, in one embodiment some elements may beimplemented via one or more nodes of computer system 800 that aredistinct from those nodes implementing other elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 800 may be a uniprocessor systemincluding one processor 88, or a multiprocessor system including severalprocessors 88 (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number).Processors 88 may be any suitable processor capable of executinginstructions. For example, in various embodiments processors 88 may begeneral-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety ofinstruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC,or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, eachof processors 88 may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the sameISA.

System memory 820 may be configured to store camera control programinstructions 822 and/or camera control data accessible by processor 88.In various embodiments, system memory 820 may be implemented using anysuitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM),synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or anyother type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, programinstructions 822 may be configured to implement a lens controlapplication 824 incorporating any of the functionality described above.Additionally, existing camera control data 832 of memory 820 may includeany of the information or data structures described above. In someembodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent orstored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similarmedia separate from system memory 820 or computer system 800. Whilecomputer system 800 is described as implementing the functionality offunctional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented via such a computer system.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 830 may be configured to coordinate I/Otraffic between processor 88, system memory 820, and any peripheraldevices in the device, including network interface 840 or otherperipheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 850. In someembodiments, I/O interface 830 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 820) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 88). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 830 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 830 may be split into two or more separate components, such asa north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 830, suchas an interface to system memory 820, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 88.

Network interface 840 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 800 and other devices attached to a network 885(e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system800. Network 885 may in various embodiments include one or more networksincluding but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., anEthernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface840 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 850 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 800. Multipleinput/output devices 850 may be present in computer system 800 or may bedistributed on various nodes of computer system 800. In someembodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computersystem 800 and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system800 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 840.

As shown in FIG. 8, memory 820 may include program instructions 822,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above. In other embodiments, differentelements and data may be included. Note that data may include any dataor information described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 800 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 800 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 800 may be transmitted to computer system800 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexample configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera actuator, comprising: a suspensionassembly for moveably mounting a lens carrier to an actuator base; amagnetized magnet holder, wherein: the magnetized magnet holder holdsone or more permanent magnets; and the magnetized magnet holder ismagnetized such that the magnet holder generates a holder magnetic fieldof a magnetic field strength; and one or more actuator coils configuredto interact with a combined magnetic field from the one or morepermanent magnets and the magnetized magnet holder to move the lenscarrier.
 2. The camera actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuator coilscomprise one or more optical image stabilization (OIS) coils thatinteract with the combined magnetic field from the one or more permanentmagnets and the magnetized magnet holder to move the lens carrier toprovide OIS.
 3. The camera actuator of claim 2, wherein: the one or moreOIS coils are mounted to the actuator base; and the one or more OIScoils interact with the combined magnetic field from the one or morepermanent magnets and the magnetized holder to move the lens carrier inone or more directions orthogonal to an optical axis of a lens assemblyin the lens carrier, so as to provide OIS.
 4. The camera actuator ofclaim 2, wherein the actuator coils further comprise: a focusing coilfixedly mounted to the lens carrier and electrically coupled to theactuator base through the suspension assembly.
 5. The camera actuator ofclaim 1, wherein the holder magnetic field is generated by magneticmaterials embedded in a structural material of the magnet holder.
 6. Thecamera actuator of claim 1, wherein each of one or more respectivemagnetic fields from the one or more permanent magnets is stronger thanthe holder magnetic field.
 7. The camera actuator of claim 1, whereineach of one or more respective magnetic fields from the one or morepermanent magnets is oriented in a direction different from a directionof orientation of the holder magnetic field.
 8. A camera, comprising: alens assembly in a lens carrier; an image sensor for capturing lighttransiting the lens assembly; a suspension assembly for moveablymounting the lens carrier to an actuator base; a magnetized magnetholder, wherein: the magnetized magnet holder holds one or morepermanent magnets; and the magnetized magnet holder is magnetized suchthat the magnet holder generates a holder magnetic field of a magneticfield strength; and one or more actuator coils configured to interactwith a combined magnetic field from the one or more permanent magnetsand the magnetized magnet holder to move the lens carrier.
 9. The cameraof claim 8, wherein: the actuator coils comprise one or more opticalimage stabilization (OIS) coils mounted to the actuator base; and theone or more OIS coils interact with the combined magnetic field from theone or more permanent magnets and the magnetized magnet holder to movethe lens carrier in one or more directions orthogonal to an optical axisof the lens assembly.
 10. The camera of claim 9, wherein the actuatorcoils further comprise: a focusing coil fixedly mounted to the lenscarrier and electrically coupled to the actuator base through thesuspension assembly.
 11. The camera of claim 8, wherein the holdermagnetic field is generated by magnetic materials embedded in athermoplastic structural material of the magnet holder.
 12. The cameraof claim 8, wherein the holder magnetic field is oriented in directionsdistinct from an optical axis of the lens assembly.
 13. The camera ofclaim 8, wherein the holder magnetic field is oriented parallel orantiparallel to an optical axis of the lens assembly.
 14. The camera ofclaim 8, wherein the holder magnetic field is oriented radially outwardfrom an optical axis of the lens assembly.
 15. The camera of claim 8,wherein each of one or more respective magnetic fields from the one ormore permanent magnets is stronger than the holder magnetic field. 16.The camera of claim 8, wherein each of one or more respective magneticfields from the one or more permanent magnets is oriented in a directiondifferent from a direction of orientation of the holder magnetic field.